7 Takeout Calorie Bombs To Avoid At All Costs

Takeout seems like a fast and easy solution when you’re in a pinch, but make it a habit and you’ll quickly pack on the pounds—not to mention empty out your wallet. These takeout staples are packed with calories, loaded with fat, and often come in oversized portions, a triple play that can quickly result in weight gain.

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Cross these 7 items off your mental takeout menu for good, and replace them with our satisfying make-at-home alternatives.

Pad Thai with Tofu The word “tofu” makes it sound wholesome, but don’t be fooled by this greasy dish. One serving of this vegetarian-friendly Thai standby is 750 calories and 23 grams of fat. That’s more fat and calories than 2 slices of cheese pizza.Make this instead: Cashew, Tofu, and Broccoli Stir-Fry This tasty tofu option boasts almost half the calories of the takeout dish and just one tablespoon of oil. Cashews add a satisfying crunch, and honey and soy sauce mimic the sweet-and-salty flavors of pad Thai. Best of all, it only takes 20 minutes to make—less time than you’d spend waiting for delivery!

Taco Salad You might think any meal with the word “salad” in it must be virtuous, but when the salad bowl is a giant tortilla chip, the health value plummets. Add cheese, sour cream, and a hefty helping of beef to the greens, and that taco salad can easily pack 860 calories and 46 grams of fat. Iceberg lettuce and a tomato or two do little to counter the damage done by this takeout tragedy.Make this instead: Chicken Soft Tacos with Tangy Guacamole This chicken tacos recipe from Rick Bayless has more flavor, more nutrition, and half the calories. Sprinkle on serrano chile peppers for a kick of metabolism-boosting heat, and savor the creamy guacamole while getting a dose of good-for-you monounsaturated fats. Top off the tacos with a squeeze of lime juice, and enjoy guilt-free.

Chicken Alfredo Using up nearly three-quarters of your daily calories while providing pretty much zero nutrients, chicken Alfredo is one of the worst carry-out meals you can pick up from your local Italian restaurant. At a whopping 1,440 calories and 82 grams of fat, this creamy, cheesy, buttery mess will set your diet back for days.Make this instead: Loaded Alfredo with Chicken and Vegetables Our lighter version cuts the calories by more than half and ends up with 15 grams of fat—not bad for something this rich and creamy. Add in sun-dried tomatoes, broccoli, and mushrooms to up the feel-full fiber content of this dish. Serve yourself a small portion and round it out with a side salad for a balanced comfort food dinner.

Fried Chicken Wings Any food served in a bucket probably wouldn’t win nutrition points from your dietitian, but if you think eating a few small wings instead of legs or thighs won’t weigh you down, think again. Each fried chicken wing contains an average of 100 calories and 7 grams of fat, making this appetizer a diet disaster. Dunk a few wings in blue cheese dressing and you’ll be approaching your allotted fat for the day.Make this instead: Fiery Buffalo Wings Grilling or oven-roasting your wings cuts fat significantly; it's also easier, cheaper (no quart of oil for frying), and (especially on the grill) tastier. Serve these spicy wings at your next game-watching party, and you won't feel bad about reaching for another. Want Asian-style wings? Simply sub in 1/4 cup teriyaki sauce for the hot sauce and follow the rest of the recipe.

Indian Curry Pork Vindaloo Indian food tends to consist of chickpeas and vegetables, so it's a good healthy option, right? Not if the veggies and meat are buried in fatty curry sauce. Pork vindaloo can have 620 calories and 47 grams of fat—and that’s without basmati rice and bread it’s often served with. Most other creamy curries pack loads of fat, too.Try instead: Lime Biryani Our Indian recipe proves that you don’t need a creamy sauce to have a flavorful, exotic dish. The fresh, clean taste of lime juice pops against curry powder for a healthy meal that packs a zesty punch. And with quinoa, almonds, and chickpeas—all healthy proteins—this dish is as filling as it is interesting.

Chicken and Broccoli This classic Chinese restaurant combo sounds like it would be low in calories, but what could be a healthy dish is usually derailed by too much brown sauce and oil. Chicken and broccoli from your favorite Chinese place can come with 660 calories and 26 grams of fat. Have it with a side of fried rice or lo mein noodles and your “light” dinner gets even fattier.Make this instead: Turkey and Broccoli with Couscous Instead of greasy takeout, treat yourself to a meal packed with filling protein and flavor, with less than one gram of fat per serving. Skinless turkey cutlets are paired with fluffy couscous and veggies for an Asian-inspired meal without the calories of Chinese fast food.

Chicken Quesadilla You might think a quesadilla is healthy because it’s wrapped up in a thin tortilla—at least it's low-carb, right? Despite their flat shape, quesadillas are full of fat and are high in calories. One 13-inch dish might have 980 calories and 55 grams of fat. No amount of low-calorie chunky salsa will redeem this cheesy disaster.Make this instead: Asparagus Quesadillas Don’t be skeptical of a dish that replaces gobs of cheese with asparagus—we promise it’s still tasty! These little vegetarian quesadilla sandwiches still have enough Monterey jack cheese to satisfy your comfort food cravings with only 9 grams of fat. Have them with beans and brown rice for a complete meal, or serve them up alongside healthy grilled fish or chicken.

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